Tripod?
Jun 17, 2018 14:54:40 #
RWR wrote:
Actually, a center column can add a bit of stability. (Just don’t raise it very much!)
I don't think so. The most stable place for the camera is as close to the top of the tripod as possible. All you have to do to test this is tape a laser pointer to the lens, and trip the shutter. You may want to revise your comment after seeing what having a center column, even in its fully down position, is visibly less stable than no column at all.
Jun 17, 2018 14:59:02 #
TheShoe
Loc: Lacey, WA
You might consider a Nest https://www.nest-style.com/ - they get a lot of praise for both quality and price.
Jun 17, 2018 15:07:05 #
Not wanting to change the topic question but wanting to pose a couple questions - does your camera or lens have I.S. ? i found when I was without a tripod I just needed to go back to my early training -faster shutter speed along with higher ISO and bracing my hold on the camera either with my arms braced against my chest or any close by stationary object. Don't forget as mall bean bag or handy substitute.
Just my thoughts as I lost darn few images by practicing these methods.
Harvey
Just my thoughts as I lost darn few images by practicing these methods.
Harvey
frjeff wrote:
Newb here shooting D5300. br Have a six week trip ... (show quote)
Jun 17, 2018 15:15:35 #
peterg
Loc: Santa Rosa, CA
amfoto1 wrote:
Rather that believing rumors, I suggest checking. Example: http://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all Looks like for departures from the USA, there are no type-of-camera restrictions.Check with your air carrier, because things change! I've heard rumor that there is currently a restriction on carrying on a DSLR.
Jun 17, 2018 15:35:34 #
wildweasel wrote:
I spent the last several weeks researching carbon ... (show quote)
Well there you have it, another idea from a different frame of mind.
Do what makes you feel right.
Jun 17, 2018 16:00:55 #
bsprague wrote:
The OP wrote he 74, less steady now, has a two pou... (show quote)
I am not sure how the price of a camera and lens relates to tripod stability. If you are using a short focal length lens and taking only landscapes, you can get by with a very modest tripod. But if you are using a 300mm lens or longer, or intend to do macro at or near the maximum magnification possible, you need a very different tripod. This is true regardless of whether you are using a point and shoot or a $40,000 Mamiya Leaf and telephoto or macro lens.
Jun 17, 2018 16:14:09 #
Harvey wrote:
Not wanting to change the topic question but wanting to pose a couple questions - does your camera or lens have I.S. ? i found when I was without a tripod I just needed to go back to my early training -faster shutter speed along with higher ISO and bracing my hold on the camera either with my arms braced against my chest or any close by stationary object. Don't forget as mall bean bag or handy substitute.
Just my thoughts as I lost darn few images by practicing these methods.
Harvey
Just my thoughts as I lost darn few images by practicing these methods.
Harvey
Harvey is correct. Know what your limits are and prepare accordingly.
Great advice.
Jun 17, 2018 16:44:35 #
Bob Locher
Loc: Southwest Oregon
I am 75 and have the same issues. I am just back from a small ship cruise of SE Alaska done without tripod. Of about 500 exposures, less than 10 turned out to be too fuzzy from movement to be good.
I used an ISO of 1000, set aperture to typically f/8 and let the shutter speed fall wherever, and mostly it was an absolute minimum of 1/500th, usually higher. It worked for me.
But! If you do decide on a tripod, spend the money to get a good one. It will be a tiny fraction of the cost of your trip, and if photography is a major part of the reason for the trip, don't be too cheap. Plus, buy a remote wireless or infrared trigger - eBay is full of them for peanuts, and whenever possible use that to take the exposure after letting the camera and lens stabilize for a few moments before shooting.
Have a great trip!
I used an ISO of 1000, set aperture to typically f/8 and let the shutter speed fall wherever, and mostly it was an absolute minimum of 1/500th, usually higher. It worked for me.
But! If you do decide on a tripod, spend the money to get a good one. It will be a tiny fraction of the cost of your trip, and if photography is a major part of the reason for the trip, don't be too cheap. Plus, buy a remote wireless or infrared trigger - eBay is full of them for peanuts, and whenever possible use that to take the exposure after letting the camera and lens stabilize for a few moments before shooting.
Have a great trip!
Jun 17, 2018 17:04:43 #
plummpj
Loc: Minneapolis, Minnesota
For landscape photography, I don't believe a tripod is necessary. It used to be that with a long lens, tripods were recommended. But with the higher ISO's possible with digital, you generally don't need a tripod unless you're shooting with a extremely long or heavy lens, 800 mm or longer. I have a 100-400, and never use a tripod for normal shots. I see many people shoot up to 600 mm hand held.
I use a tripod for long exposures (night sky, waterfalls, etc) and close up macro photography where I manually focus multiple shots and focus stack them.
Certainly for your lens set, I don't see why you need a tripod.
I use a tripod for long exposures (night sky, waterfalls, etc) and close up macro photography where I manually focus multiple shots and focus stack them.
Certainly for your lens set, I don't see why you need a tripod.
Jun 17, 2018 17:19:04 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
Gene51 wrote:
I don't think so. The most stable place for the camera is as close to the top of the tripod as possible. All you have to do to test this is tape a laser pointer to the lens, and trip the shutter. You may want to revise your comment after seeing what having a center column, even in its fully down position, is visibly less stable than no column at all.
I think that if raising the column 3 or 4 inches makes a noticeable difference in stability, the tripod must be too light-duty to begin with. I don’t believe I’ve ever had to raise one more than that, except for a flash. Of course, common sense dictates that camera and lens be properly balanced, center column or no.
Jun 17, 2018 17:24:00 #
RWR wrote:
I think that if raising the column 3 or 4 inches makes a noticeable difference in stability, the tripod must be too light-duty to begin with. I don’t believe I’ve ever had to raise one more than that, except for a flash. Of course, common sense dictates that camera and lens be properly balanced, center column or no.
Well, put it to the test - Get that laser pointer and tell us what you come up with. There is no substitute for real-world testing. You can think all you want, but testing will nail it.
Secret - I've done this and found that a column, even not raised, is less stable. But your mileage may be different. So test away.
Second secret - based on my testing years ago I decided not to use a tripod with a center column any longer. Having a less stable tripod and fuzzy images is not worth the value of the convenience of a center column.
Jun 17, 2018 17:31:26 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
SusanFromVermont wrote:
The problem with a column is that many people will extend the column more than a couple of inches. It is longer than that, so they figure it is OK to raise it up that far!
Isn’t that more a problem with the photographer than the tripod?
Jun 17, 2018 17:31:50 #
I carry at most a table tripod. My trips are on guided tours, no emphasis on photography, where we don't stop for prolonged periods so there's no time for setting up a tripod. I just walk along, stop to take images and I'm usually the last guy in the group trying to catch up with the rest. I have an Olympus E-M1 MkII with seriousl stabilization so I can shoot hand-held even at low light. Also, at my age I don't want to carry around anything that is not really, really needed.
So it really depends on the kind of trip you're going.
On a "slightly different" topic, the pros' recommendation is to shoot during the golden light hours at sunrise and sunset and just rest during the day. This maybe possible with photography tours, not plain guided trips. We're usually up all day long on a busy schedule. So it's shoot at whatever time you get to wherever or forget it.
Just my 2 cents worth....
So it really depends on the kind of trip you're going.
On a "slightly different" topic, the pros' recommendation is to shoot during the golden light hours at sunrise and sunset and just rest during the day. This maybe possible with photography tours, not plain guided trips. We're usually up all day long on a busy schedule. So it's shoot at whatever time you get to wherever or forget it.
Just my 2 cents worth....
frjeff wrote:
Newb here shooting D5300. br Have a six week trip ... (show quote)
Jun 17, 2018 17:32:10 #
Induro also makes good tripods that are cheaper than Gitzo and RRS. I make a lot of images and very few are not from a tripod. I photographed flowers today from a tripod. When in Yellowstone every image is supported by a tripod or car window sill.
When you buy a tripod, try to imagine the heaviest lens you might ever want to support and by a compatible tripod. I didn't do that over the years and had to replace tripods several times.
When you buy a tripod, try to imagine the heaviest lens you might ever want to support and by a compatible tripod. I didn't do that over the years and had to replace tripods several times.
Jun 17, 2018 17:52:45 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
Gene51 wrote:
Well, put it to the test - Get that laser pointer ... (show quote)
I examine my transparencies on a light box at 15X. Whatever I’ve been doing wrong, I’m not about to change!
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